Fall 2014 Television: Sundays

Time to clear out the DVR, stock up on snacks and toss that really comfy throw blanket into the wash: Fall TV is back! This season the networks are playing it safe and offering what they know people like: political dramas, romantic comedies, comic book heroes and yet another iteration of NCIS. Stick with what works, right?

Meet your new fall television season. New series are in italics, and the links lead to previews and more information about the shows. Also included below: what to expect from your favorite returning series, and premiere dates of cable shows. All dates and times are subject change, and more information will be added as it becomes available.

Sunday remains the most anticipated night of television of the week thanks to the likes of Homeland, The Walking Dead, The Good Wife and Boardwalk Empire. Showtime hopes to make Sundays a little sexier with the new series The Affair, while Fox has decided to add live comedies Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Mulaney to their former all-animation Sunday block. Elsewhere, CBS joins the new political drama trend with the new series Madam Secretary. And ABC tries to bring a little of that Frozen magic to Once Upon a Time. Synergy is a glorious thing.

Tubular will be blogging The Walking Dead and whichever Real Housewives show is on that night, and HQ will be watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Mulaney, Homeland and The Affair.

Tea Leoni stars as a sassy, shoot-from-the-hip Secretary of State who has to balance her Very Important Job with her life as a wife and mother in this new political drama on CBS. Political dramas are undeniably hot right now (See: Scandal, Homeland, House of Cards). That, plus the facts that Tea Leoni is quite likable and that this series will pair nicely with the other smart-lady Sunday drama The Good Wife, it all adds up to a pretty safe Sunday night bet for CBS.

John Mulaney is an incredibly talented stand-up comedian and former writer on Saturday Night Live, which is why it is disheartening that his much-anticipated sitcom, Mulaney, sure looks like not much more than a reheated Seinfeld (Job as a comedian? Check. Two male best friends — one of whom is particularly wacky? Check. One female character with whom lead has a little sexual tension? Check. Main setting in an apartment living room? Check. Multi-cameras? Check and check. Catch-phrases? Not yet, but give it time.) Mulaney is one of my favorite comedians out there right now (watch some of his stand-up here if you’re unfamiliar, note that the “New in Town” opening is not that much different from the preview of Mulaney below, proceed to worry), here’s to hoping that his show ends up being better than it looks in this preview.

Last we left our heroes, they were being held hostage in a train car by a group of people who may or may not be a bunch of cannibals. This season has been described by the cast as action-packed and as violent as anything that has come before, which is REALLY SAYING SOMETHING. Also, too, Daryl might be gay.

It’s the final season of the Prohibition-era gangster drama, and Nucky hopes to go legit through his association with Bacardi and maybe find his way back to Margaret. But since the trailer promises that “no one goes quietly,” methinks a happy ending might not be in Nucky’s cards.

IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE THIRD SEASON OF HOMELAND, AVERT YOUR EYES. YOU’VE OFFICIALLY BEEN WARNED.

So, Brody’s dead. And now Carrie’s had a baby — maybe Brody’s, who knows — and she’s ready to get back into the field, even if that means leaving her family, including (and especially) her new child, behind. The fourth season will focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan with Carrie assigned to a dangerous new post. Exactly like she likes it. Just stay on the meds this time, Carrie.

In this sexy new Showtime drama, a school teacher and a waitress are drawn to each other despite being married to other people, and find themselves embroiled in an affair that, at least from what can glean from the trailer, seems to have devastating consequences for everyone involved. Dominic West, Maura Tierney, Joshua Jackson (yay!) and the relatively unknown Ruth Wilson star in the steamy new series.

Returning Shows:

Once Upon a Time:Where we left off: The time portal closes but not before we have a glimpse of Elsa from Frozen making her way into the Storybrooke universe.Where we go from here: In fact, for the first half of the season, both sisters from Frozen will be on Once Upon a Time, picking up where the movie left off. And for the second half of the season, Maleficent is set to return.

Resurrection:Where we left off: Bellamy and Jacob are surrounded by the military, and the birthmark is revealed on Bellamy’s neck.Where we go from here: More dead Langstons.

Revenge:Where we left off: Victoria finally knows the truth about Emily, so Emily has Victoria committed to an institution.Where we go from here: David Clark is alive — but he’s not the man Emily or Victoria think they knew.

The Good Wife:Where we left off: Eli suggests that Alicia would be her ex-husband the Governor’s choice for State’s Attorney.Where we go from here: After Will’s death, don’t expect Alicia to move on romantically any time soon. And David Hyde Pierce joins the cast for a number of episodes, potentially as Alicia’s political rival.

CSI:Where we left off: After Cpt. Brass’ daughter killed his ex-wife and tried to kill herself, he decides to leave the force to spend more time with her.Where we go from here: The show will explain Cpt. Brass’ absence, Finlay will have a new love interest and Mark-Paul Gosselaar will guest star.

Bob’s Burgers:Where we left off: Linda and the children have to rescue Bob.Where we go from here: The first episode is entitled “Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl.”

The Simpsons:Where we left off: Bart feels guilty after winning the last day of school race.Where we go from here: A beloved character will die.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine:Where we left off: Jake gets himself kicked off the force so as to infiltrate a crime family; Jake tells Amy his true feeling for her.Where we go from here: Eva Longoria joins the cast.

Family Guy:Where we left off: It was a Downton Abbey-themed something or other.Where we go from here: There will be a cross-over with The Simpsons for some reason.